RAF Jet Forced to Escort Pakistani Airliner

Two men were arrested Friday in England after officials said a Pakistani commercial airliner was forced to divert by a British air force jet to another airport.

The air force jet was scrambled after Pakistan International Airlines officials said they had been unable to contact the pilot, USA Today reported.

The plane, carrying 297 passengers and 11 crew members, was less than 10 minutes from landing at its scheduled destination in Manchester, England. Instead, it was diverted to Stansted Airport outside London.

Two men on the plane were arrested on "suspicion of endangerment of an aircraft," Essex police said.